Bicycle pod transport system

Abstract

A trailer with interchangeable cargo specific pods positionable into alignment with a flatbed of the trailer and including fasteners in vertical alignment with fasteners of the trailer. The cargo specific pods may carry cargo such as bicycles, kayaks, canoes, skis, sailboats, skidoos, luggage, seadoos, surfboards, livestock, scoreboards, advertising panels, rowing sculls, contractor's equipment, camping units, and camper trailer pods. One or more pods may be placed on the flatbed at a time for transport by the trailer. One cargo pod includes doors to allow for easy access to cargo. A bicycle pod includes an arrangement of inclined grooved supports for receiving bicycle tires. Sets of hooks may be staggered in height from highest to lowest. Each grooved support includes a hook for hooking about a bicycle tire. A watercraft pod comprises a ladder assembly having opposing ladder towers, each tower including at least one support formed from a rung which pairs with an opposing rung. The ladder towers are supported by an adjustable brace assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 656,312, filed Feb. 25, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to the field of cargo transport, and more particularly to an apparatus for transporting interchangeable cargo pods and to interchangeable cargo pods.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Trailers are commonly used to transport various types of cargo as they are towed behind vehicles. However, many of the prior art trailers are suited for towing a specific type of cargo. Therefore, often times, one must use a different trailer to transport different types of cargo. Using different trailers to transport different types of cargo can be quite costly.[0004]Flatbed trailers are utilized to transport different types of cargo. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0155748 to Picard et al. describes a modular trailer including a bas...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a system for transporting various types of cargo using a trailer with a flatbed and a cargo pod that can be easily connected and disconnected to the flatbed. The cargo pods can be interchanged and include features such as bicycle racks, canoe supports, and watercraft ladders. The system allows for easy and secure transport of bicycles, canoes, and other cargo. The technical effects of the system include improved cargo security, flexibility, and ease of transport."

Problems solved by technology

Using different trailers to transport different types of cargo can be quite costly.

However, prior art trailers may be complicated, cumbersome, and difficult to handle.

Much time and effort is required to assemble and to utilize such trailers.

Further, some prior art cargo pods, holding cargo such as bicycles, do not make efficient use of the pod space.

Additionally, when transported by trailers, these pods do not make efficient use of the space on the trailer.

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